Visible-light photocatalytic fuel cell with Z-scheme g-C3N4/Fe0/TiO2 anode and WO3 cathode efficiently degrades berberine chloride and stably generates electricity

Abstract

A visible-light Z-scheme g-C3N4/Fe0/TiO2 anodic catalyst was tested with cathodic WO3 in photocatalytic Fuel Cell (PFC) that efficiently degrades berberine chloride and simultaneously generate electricity at pH 2,5,7 and 13. The Stainless-steel mesh electrodes loaded with prepared catalyst were irradiated by visible-light in single chamber PFC. The highest removal of berberine Chloride, cell voltage, and power density were 91%, 0.8 V, and 16.4 W/m2 at a current density of 2.02 mA/cm2, respectively after 90 min irradiation in 0.05 M Na2SO4 electrolyte, with 10 Ω external resistance. The impacts of pH and initial concentration of BEC on photocatalytic degradation and cell voltage were evaluated. The cell current density is enhanced while the photocatalyst activity increased. The constructed PFC maintained high-performance after 5 uses. Its use in degrading wide spectrum refractory pollutants and generate electricity is expected for the proved catalyst design, paired electrodes and high PFC performance for practical wastewater treatment.